Their sister had said of them that their spirit was as poor as their looks.

It could not be said of them by any one that they had any pretension to beauty, but that which Mistress Clorinda rated at as poor spirit was the one element of comfort in their poor dependent kinswoman's life.

They gave her no ill words, they indulged in no fantastical whims and vapours, and they did not even seem to expect other entertainment than to walk the country roads, to play with their little lap-dog Cupid, wind silks for their needlework, and please themselves with their embroidery-frames.
To them their sister appeared a goddess whom it would be presumptuous to approach in any frame of mind quite ordinary.

Her beauty must be heightened by rich adornments, while their plain looks were left without the poorest aid.

It seemed but fitting that what there was to spend must be spent on her.